Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce

by Two Peas on October 14, 2009

When we were in California for the Blogher Food Conference we stopped to visit Josh’s mom in Placerville, which is Apple Hill country. We drove through the orchards, vineyards, and forests. It is a beautiful area, but beware if you get car sick. Those windy roads killed me:) It was worth it though because we bought the best apples ever.

I love eating apples for a healthy snack, but of course my mind kicked into cooking/baking gear and started dreaming up what I could make with these apples. When I saw Cookin’ Canuck’s family applesauce recipe, I knew I had to try it. We stocked up on: Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith, Empire, Honey Crisp, and Mutsu apples. I had never had a Mutsu apple before, but it is now one of my favorites. They are big green apples that are crisp and sweet, but also have a little tartness to them. It was so fun sampling new apples and picking them out ourselves.
I love this recipe because it is effortless! You make the applesauce in the crockpot (slow cooker) and there is no canning involved. The hardest part is chopping the apples, which I didn’t mind doing. I like chopping, it’s a great stress reliever:) I used a mixture of our CA apples-Gala, Honey Crisp, and Granny Smith. I also added in lots of cinnamon. The house smelled amazing while the applesauce was simmering.

I like chunky applesauce so I didn’t mush it up too much. If you want super smooth applesauce puree it in a food processor or blender. My favorite way to eat applesauce is on whole wheat toast. I use applesauce instead of jam. Weird? Probably, but that is me:) You can also stir it into your oatmeal, use it in your baking, or just enjoy it plain.

Crockpot Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce

Recipe adapted from Cookin’ Canuck

(Printable Recipe)

5 medium Gala apples, peeled, cored, quartered, and sliced
2 medium Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, quartered, and sliced 2 medium Honey Crisp apples, peeled, cored, quartered, and sliced Fresh lemon juice
2 T sugar
1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/3 cup water

Place all of the apple pieces in a large bowl. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the apples and stir. Add in the sugar and cinnamon. Pour water into the bottom of a large crockpot and add the apples. Put the lid on the crockpot and turn on. Cook for about 8 hours on low or on high for 5 hours. Stir occasionally. If you want smooth applesauce, puree in a food processor or blender. I like mine chunky. Keep in the fridge for a week or 2. You can freeze it too.

Makes approximately 4 cups of applesauce.

If you like this applesauce recipe, you might also like:

Applesauce Spice Cake from Simply Recipes
Whole Wheat Apple Spice Muffins from Pinch My Salt
Cranberry, Raisin, and Walnut Applesauce from Food Blogga
Iced Oatmeal Applesauce Cookies from Two Peas and Their Pod

Posted In Side Dishes, Snack

7 Comments / Leave a Comment »

7 Responses to “Crockpot (Slow Cooker) Chunky Cinnamon Applesauce”

1

DawnK — February 9, 2010 @ 8:00 pm

I made this last night. It smelled good while I was making it, and smelled good again, as it cooked. You are right. The applesauce does taste good on whole-wheat toast!
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2

Kristy Powell — October 18, 2011 @ 3:24 pm

Applesauce on toast is not strange at all – I canned both applesauce & apple butter this fall. The main difference is that the butter cooks in apple cider or juice, whereas the sauce cooks in water. Additionally, the butter is allowed to reduce for a longer period of time. Thus the butter may just be a bit thicker and sweeter than sauce.
3

Laura D — October 18, 2011 @ 3:30 pm

Even faster than this recipe.

Fill up a metal, non-reactive pot with apple chunks. (I cut/core them and then chop the slices.)

Add enough water to the pot so that the apples don’t stick (about 1/4 cup, max).

Put the lid on and cook over medium heat for about 20 min, until somewhat tender.

Using a blender or stick blender, blend the apples until they are as chunky or smooth as you want.

If desired, add cinnamon. (I add about 1 TBSP for about 6 qts apples).

If desired, add sugar. (I never do.)

Freeze or can as desired.

To can, add to hot jars and process in a water bath for 10 minutes.
4

Cookie and Kate — October 18, 2011 @ 7:45 pm

My crock pot has been gathering dust in the back of a cabinet all spring and summer long. Finally, a recipe that will put it to good use! Thanks, Maria!